U21s report: Newcastle v United
Manchester United's Under-21s enjoyed victory in the north-east on Saturday lunchtime, with goals from Sam Mather and Ethan Ennis earning the young Reds three points on the road.
After a quiet start to proceedings, United began to build pressure a quarter-of-an-hour in. Gabriele Biancheri forced goalkeeper Aidan Harris into a save and player-coach Tommy Rowe shot wide before United finally made their dominance pay after 16 minutes.
An unmarked Sam Mather strode into the area to connect well with an aerial ball and stroke it home with the inside of his right boot, leaving goalkeeper Harris with no chance.
Mather and Malachi Sharpe had further efforts before the break, with both saved by Harris. At the other end, Dermot Mee was untroubled by attempts from Trevan Sanusi and Leo Shahar, both of which went wide of the right post. In fact, the hosts were unable to find the target on any occasion during the 90 despite some clever attacking play.
With much of the team having travelled to Lithuania for the UEFA Youth League meeting with FK Zalgiris in midweek, United showed resilience in the second half. Despite tiring legs, our young Reds defended well, putting in several excellent blocks to keep the hosts at bay, while continuing to carve out some opportunities.
Ennis wrapped up the victory with a fine team goal four minutes from time. Dermot Mee passed out from his area to Finley McAllister, who turned smoothly to play Ennis in. The wide forward came inside to beat several players before pulling off a placed shot into the bottom corner.
"We deserved the win," reflected lead coach Travis Binnion post-match.
"We had a lot of chances in the first half and I thought we could have come in two or three goals up at half-time and it would have been fully deserved. But we didn’t.
"So we had to defend really well in the second half and try and get another goal. We did both of those things. I thought the back four was magnificent, with Dermot Mee. Some of the blocks we made were excellent.
"We deserved to win and could have killed the game off ourselves but I thought we showed a really good spirit and character about us. We had a midfield who all played in Lithuania and they played 90 minutes today. You could see we were tired at moments, but we had a really good spirit about us and defended set plays really well."
MATCH DETAILS
United: Mee; Kamason, Kingdon, Jackson, Rowe; McAllister, Baumann, Devaney; Sharpe (Missin 62), Biancheri (Ennis 68), Mather (Moorhouse 79).
Booked: Rowe, Devaney.
Goals: Mather 16, Ennis 86.
As head of the Professional Development Phase (U17-U21), Binnion was pleased to hear of the U18s score at Carrington.
"We've had a really good week as a phase," he said.
"There was a really good feel about our trip to Lithuania, with a fluid feel in terms of the players involved and the coaching.
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"Today, we've had two changed sides playing, one at home and one away. We've got two wins and two clean sheets, so we're happy with that.
"We've got a tough game to come on Wednesday against a really strong European side in PSV Eindhoven at Leigh Sports Village.
"With a first-team game on the same night, we might have a few of our young players getting that experience of a senior matchday. We'll adapt to what's needed and work together to give all our players the best opportunities.
"These games are a great test against opponents who might play differently to those we normally face, or who might be a bit older or a bit more physical."